Former student Gemma Macdonald, Class of 2011, contacted us recently to let us know that she is taking part in the Simply Health Great North Run later this year for charity. Gemma suffered life changing injuries last year in a road traffic accident, she is making a good recovery and has been supported by Headway, a brain injury charity. Gemma is looking to the future and aiming to make a positive from a negative experience by taking part in the run to raise money for Headway and raise awareness of the fantastic work they do.

Gemma went to school at NGHS leaving in 2011 to study Law, Psychology and Media Studies at Xaverian College achieving ABB at A Level. Later going to Manchester Metropolitan University achieving a first class honours degree. After University she undertook a maternity cover marketing assistant role at a law firm in Hale, later being offered a permanent role as a litigation paralegal. Gemma left the firm in March 2018 to focus on completing a Legal Practice Course at the University of Law Manchester - which is a pre requisite to becoming a Solicitor. And then unfortunately the accident occurred in May 2018, she was hit by a car whilst walking across a zebra crossing on Simonsway in Newall Green, Wythenshawe and sustained serious injuries; fractured skull, bleed on the brain, fractured cheek bone and clavicle. Gemma spent four months off in recovery & had to put her legal studies on hold. She is recovering well, but currently only able to work part-time and not yet back to her legal studies but is working hard to get there.